Pillowcases can be “dirtier than the toilet” in summer

The extreme heat of summer causes many people to sweat outdoors, indoors and even in their sleep.

Experts have revealed how a sweaty night’s sleep could harbor bacteria on your pillowcase, making it dirtier than a certain bathroom accessory.

“Your pillowcases could be considered dirtier than the toilet. The good news is that these bacteria are very likely to have come from you to begin with and are therefore not harmful,” Dr Gareth Nye, Program Leader for Medical Sciences, told Wales Online.

The medical expert encourages people to wash their pillowcases and sheets once a week to avoid germs and bacteria growing on them – even if they are their own.

“In terms of bacteria, some studies have shown that after a week, there were 17,000 more bacterial colonies on a pillowcase than on a toilet bowl,” Nye added.

Real Simple also reported that “after a week without washing, their pillowcases carried an average of 3 million colony-forming units (CFU) of bacteria per square centimeter.”

Experts warn: Pillowcases can be ‘dirtier than the toilet’ in summer

Most people can lose between 500 millimeters and 700 millimeters of sweat on a typical night. However, at least 200 millimeters of water soaks into sheets or pajamas, according to Nye’s studies.

“The body replaces skin cells, which leads to skin cell loss. Given that humans shed an average of 500 million skin cells per day (most of which are shed at night), the body ALSO produces other body secretions, in addition to fluid loss through saliva,” Nye said.

If ignored, other problems can arise, such as fungi or mites, which thrive on dead skin cells and leave droppings that trigger allergies and asthma.

“One study found that an average pillow has up to 16 different species of fungi and literally millions of fungal spores,” he continued.

The Post previously reported how making your bed right after getting up can increase bacteria growth.

“If you rush to make your bed, you risk trapping damp air under the sheets, which helps the nasty crawlers breed.”

Experts agree that people should let their bed breathe during the summer season and change their bedding frequently.

Nye suggests avoiding polyester bedding and considering “cotton or linen sheets or remove the comforter and just use the sheets.”